Hi!

[Chris_h]

Hello everyone, I fly from Adelaide to Manchester (UK) every 12 months or so and I'm keen to find an affordable way to go business class to ease the pain!

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Hi @Chris_h and welcome to AFF.

I fly Adelaide to UK often and normally utilise QF/EK/BA. However there are many options for you. MH through Kuala Lumpur and AY through Singapore and Helsinki (you can fly from SIN to HEL ) are cost effective alternatives. Also look at options through other Asian ports. Putting in research work reaps lots of dividends on Australia to Europe flights.

Another consideration is using points one way from Adelaide to Manchester to effectively position yourself in Europe and then buy return UK to Australia flights. You get much better deals ex-EU and I've used this strategy for many years.

 

[Chris_h]

Hi @Chris_h and welcome to AFF.

I fly Adealide to UK often and normally utilise QF/EK/BA. However there are many options for you. MH through Kuala Lumpur and AY through Singapore and Helsinki (you can fly from SIN to HEL ) are cost effective alternatives. Also look at options through other Asian ports. Putting in research work reaps lots of dividends on Australia to Europe flights.

Another consideration is using points one way from Adelaide to Manchester to effectively position yourself in Europe and then buy return UK to Australia flights. You get much better deals ex-EU and I've used this strategy for many years.

Thanks so much for those great tips which I will definitely be looking into. I've already booked my January flight with Qatar via British Airways (before I'd discovered this forum!) so I'm looking at trying to upgrade my ticket without the $4k outlay! I know that's going to be an uphill task but I'm going to give it a try (and Qatar I have been good enough to let me select my seats on the Adelaide/Doha - Doha/Adelaide legs which are the killers!)

I will definitely be utilising your tips in future though and I like the sound of a Helsinki stopover!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Welcome to AFF.

 

[Steady]

Welcome aboard Chris_h

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome aboard!

 

[ellen10]

Welcome to AFF

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF @Chris_h.

 

[tdpali]

Welcome to the group If you find any new ways of saving, make sure you share your experience. Looking forward to your tips as well.

 

[CaptJCool]

Well, if you find a cheaper option, I’m all ears.

Given the high number of competitors on Australia to Hong Kong, you could pay to fly to HK, AND then use points from there or buy relatively cheap business J class.

Or there’s this one currently in play Etihad Business Sale: Jakarta to Europe from $2,262 return. $$2262 business class, just gotta get yourself to Jakarta.....

The AY has been mentioned and those ex Australia seem to be upwards of $5,000 although there RTW only bookable via travel agents $3900 ?

Business class ex Europe I’ve seen from Stockholm to Adelaide for as low as $2400 return Singapore airlines. Perhaps Qatar....

Ex Australia in addition, Oman Airs been mentioned, Qatar had a ripper deal when the Middle East siege was on .....

 

[Chris_h]

Welcome to the group If you find any new ways of saving, make sure you share your experience. Looking forward to your tips as well.

will do!

 

[Chris_h]

Well, if you find a cheaper option, I’m all ears.

Given the high number of competitors on Australia to Hong Kong, you could pay to fly to HK, AND then use points from there or buy relatively cheap business J class.

Or there’s this one currently in play Etihad Business Sale: Jakarta to Europe from $2,262 return. $$2262 business class, just gotta get yourself to Jakarta.....

The AY has been mentioned and those ex Australia seem to be upwards of $5,000 although there RTW only bookable via travel agents $3900 ?

Business class ex Europe I’ve seen from Stockholm to Adelaide for as low as $2400 return Singapore airlines. Perhaps Qatar....

Ex Australia in addition, Oman Airs been mentioned, Qatar had a ripper deal when the Middle East siege was on .....

All great options but, unfortunately, I had booked my flight (Qatar with BA) before discovering this forum! I'm hoping to discover a credit card which will allow me to earn enough points to drastically reduce the cost of an upgrade at least on the ADL - DOH leg. From my, albeit rudimentary, research so far it isn't looking promising and booking the flight via BA would appear to be a major stumbling block.

 

[Chris_h]

After a couple of weeks research it looks as though I may have to concede defeat in getting an upgrade to Business Class on my January flight to Blighty (although Qatar did allow me to select my seat without charge). Unfortunately therefore, I have no tips to pass on. My issue was booking onto a Qatar flight via BA (codeshare) so that might be worth baring in mind for those booking Economy with a potential upgrade in mind. At least it takes a bit of the urgency off my search for the perfect Reward Scheme.

Would anybody be able to recommend a good card for lounge access? I think a shower and a quiet coffee in Doha might ease the pain!